FOX-y filmmaking mom puts the reel in reality TV

When Boston University grad Hilary Graham first heard the buzz about FOX TV’s upcoming reality contest geared toward aspiring filmmakers, “On the Lot,” she knew she’d be miserable if she settled for being another couch critic.
“I first found out about it on the Internet,” the 37-year-old stay-at-home mom told the Track. “And it was one of those things that I knew I’d be watching on TV thinking the entire time, ‘I could do that so much better.’ So I said, ‘I’m just going to enter it.’ ”
There was no question Graham has the know-how to try out for the Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett-helmed show - she worked for 10 years as an independent filmmaker in Boston, writing, directing and producing two feature films. The problem was whether she could find the time to sit down and create a submission while coping with an “energetic” 3-year-old son.


Luckily the Chelmsford native, who now lives in Francestown, N.H., is married to a “100 percent supportive” husband.
“I told my husband, ‘I’m just going to do it,’ ” she laughed. “I had a two-hour window while my husband took our son out and I did it!”
Her “dramatic” film - titled “The Staring Contest” and featuring two 14-year-olds doing just that - landed her a coveted spot among the first 50 finalists.
The scenario was just one of the many ideas Graham had “tucked away in an idea folder” since she put her career on the sidelines to be a full-time mom.
Graham will be whisked to L.A. tomorrow where she’ll take on the other 49 aspiring filmmakers for the show’s two live “audition round” episodes airing at 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9:30 p.m. Thursday.
Special guest judges Carrie Fisher and directors Brett Ratner, Spielberg, Garry Marshall and John Avnet will whittle the 50 hopefuls down to 18 finalists who will go on to compete for the million-dollar contract with DreamWorks.
Like “American Idol,” viewers will cast votes each week during the first night of the two-part series to determine who will get bumped off. Results will be announced the following evening.
“Even if I only make it to the 50 finalists I’m happy,” Graham said. “It just feels like such approval that I’ve made it this far.”
File Under: Graham’s Lot.
Ricky for Romney
Count “24” hero Rick Schroder amongst the Celebrity Mormons for Mitt contingent.
CTU agent Mike Doyle’s alter ego told the FOX News Channel’s Martha MacCallum that he’s a big fan of ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
“I like his platform; I like his positions. I don’t like him just because we have the same faith, but I like him because of what he’s saying,” Schroder said. “But there’s also other candidates I like as well, so we’ll have to see how it all shakes out.”